Wheel dressing applicator

Abstract

A tire dressing applicator which reduces wear on the applicator elements comprising a plurality of foam rollers having broad outer circumferential surfaces mounted in parallel coaxial adjacent relationship on a support shaft adjacent a path of tire travel. Tire dressing is dispensed onto the outer circumferential surfaces on demand and an actuator is provided for incrementally rotating the shaft and the rollers in unison therewith as necessary. However, a frictional engagement between the rollers and the shaft permits individual rotation of the rollers relative to the shaft during engagement with a tire sidewall.

1. A tire dressing applicator comprising:
 a plurality of toroidal foam rollers each having an outer circumferential surface, said rollers being arranged in axially adjacent relationship on a support shaft; 
 said rollers being frictionally mounted on said shaft such that the rollers are independently rotatable around said shaft as well as rotatable in unison with said shaft; 
 an actuator connected to incrementally rotate said shaft; and 
 means for dispensing tire dressing onto said circumferential surfaces for application to a tire sidewall. 
 
   
   
     2. An applicator as defined in  claim 1  wherein said rollers are made of a low-density non-recticulated plastic material. 
   
   
     3. An applicator as defined in  claim 1  wherein each roller is mounted on a spool-like hub. 
   
   
     4. An applicator as defined in  claim 3  wherein each hub has end flanges. 
   
   
     5. An applicator as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator comprises a one-way drive means for incrementally rotating the shaft in one direction only. 
   
   
     6. An applicator as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the rollers has at least one beveled edge. 
   
   
     7. An applicator as defined in  claim 1  further including means for bringing the plurality of rollers into position adjacent a tire travel path to engage the sidewall of a tire in said path on command.